Gareth A Davies has been a sports journalist for The Daily Telegraph since 1993. He is Boxing and MMA Correspondent. Has been intrigued by fight and combat sports from a young age. Personal sporting passions are rugby, cricket, and martial arts. Also covers the Paralympic Games. Hates getting his hair cut. Follow on Twitter @GarethADaviesDT

UFC 120: Hathaway gains fan in Chelsea football star Florent Malouda

John Hathaway, the welterweight prospect who faces Mike Pyle at UFC 120 at the 02 Arena, London, on Saturday night, has found an unexpected fan in Chelsea football star Florent Malouda.

The Premier League footballer, who also plays on the left wing for the French nationa team, requested tickets for the sold out – 18,000 seats have been assigned - 02 Arena in order to support former rugby academy player Hathaway… after training the grappling art Brazilian Jiujitsu with him at London Shootfighters training centre a couple of months ago.

Malouda said: “I have only discovered the sport in very recent times and I have been fascinated by the fighters’ skill and dedication. Having visited the Shootfighters’ gym in West London, I have seen at first hand the discipline, fitness and ability needed to perform at the very highest level of this sport. This is why I am so looking forward to seeing some of the world’s best fighters in action at UFC 120 on Saturday.”

EXCLUSIVE HATHAWAY VIDEO

Others well-known sports people and celebrities coming to the event include David Beckham, world heavyweight boxing champion David Haye, and the rapper Dizzy Rascal. Welterweight Miguel Cotto and a host of UFC fighters including Jon Jones, Stephan Bonnar and Rashad Evans are making appearances at the UFC FAn Expo at Earls Court Friday and Saturday.

Telegraph Tipping Chart for UFC 120:

The top three fights on the card could go either way, although the three British fighters are favourites.

GAD picks:

Bisping v Akiyama – Bisping

Hardy v Condit – Hardy

Funny story about Condit being delayed by a day arriving in the UK with his passport creating issues in New York at the flight departure desk. He's now sporting a full beard, and the picture in his passport, on a very worn page, was taken when he was 18. "I couldn't even grow a beard then," he joked. I asked to have a look at his passport. Funnily enough, the picture had an uncanny resemblance to one Shogun Rua, Weird !